Official MLBlog of the Kansas City Royals front office.

Ned Yost media session: June 26

Take it from media relations intern Hillary who was dripping after two minutes into this interview…it’s hot! Yost said that unlike the old days when he was a player, the team is taking valuable precautions to stay healthy in this summer heat, such as by eating right and staying hydrated. In particular, Yost is helping catcher Jason Kendall take special precautions by giving him a day’s rest. Though Kendall nearly always wants to play, Yost is keeping the big picture in mind so that Kendall will be strong and healthy late in the season. Members of the media asked when Jose Guillen might have a day off, but Yost responded that he doesn’t want to remove Guillen from the lineup because he is currently on a 19-game hitting streak, the longest of his career.

With Kendall out of today’s lineup, second baseman Mike Aviles will move into the two-hole. Yost knows that there is a lot more to a successful two-hole hitter than what shows up in the box score. Rather than only looking at hits, the manager looks for someone who can move runners and hit ground balls when needed.

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